Frustration!

[CatieTheFoxx]

I have recently acquired a "Windows Recovery" malware program on one of my computers. My mom told me that I am not allowed to use Skype anymore because she thinks that that's where the virus came from (although I am fairly sure that she is wrong), and now I can't really do anything on the computer. I've run scans from both McAfee and Spybot and they both told me that the virus was gone, but it isn't; it still appears as soon as my computer starts up, and tells me that I have hardware errors and RAM errors and so on and so forth. I've searched around and have found that most of the solutions presented to me were to download an anti-malware program. I am still skeptical of downloading one of these programs, not to mention the fact that my parents would jump down my throat, figuring that Malwarebytes and other various programs are ALSO malware/viruses. My question is, how can I get rid of the malware/virus without downloading a program like this, if it is possible?

[Joey]

Hi Catie,

The only programs I know that will destroy that virus are ones you must install on the computer.

The free version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware should kill that malware/virus.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free

Install it, make sure it is UPDATED, then Run a FULL scan (the "Quick" scan will probably not work well).
Then follow whatever instructions it gives you.

After, install and run the free version of "CCleaner". Run the "Cleaner" and "Registry" options.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner

LAST, to hide that you install any programs no the PC what you can do is Delete the Shortcuts they leave behind to open them up. Unless your parents are computer techs I doubt they will know they are there.

[CatieTheFoxx]

I can't open up a browser, and the hardware is damaged. Do I just put it back to factory settings or what? :S

[Joey]

Use another computer and download the programs to a USB drive. Then take them over to the messed up PC and install them via USB

[AwesomeSause]

In my opinion, i would try to restore my computer to an earlier date, because if you ran a full scan on McAfee it should detect the virus/malware/spyware and so on.  

McAfee Home Site:

http://home.mcafee.com/root/landingpage.aspx?LPName=/performics/2prod_v3&culture=en-us&affid=736&aco=0&adid=McAfee%20Broad&PPCid=MSNSearch&ctst=1